Ministers have been attacked over their decision to exclude private rented properties from its taxpayer-subsidised flood insurance scheme.

The Residential Landlords Association says the Flood Re Scheme is unfair.

The scheme will come into force next year and will cap the insurance of home owners in flood-prone areas at up to £540 a year, varying by council tax band. This will be paid for through a levy of around £10.50 on all household premiums across the country.

Included in the scheme are the most expensive homes, for example those with a council tax band H.

A Government response to a consultation on the regulations to implement the scheme has however ruled out homes in the private rented sector from being included.

The RLA argues that this policy will lead to tenants affected by flooding becoming homeless, as landlords will struggle to afford the insurance needed to provide for alternative accommodation.

RLA chairman Alan Ward said: “Ministers are leaving tenants and landlords in a difficult position. The dangers of tenants having to leave their homes because of flooding with nowhere else to stay are very real.

“It simply cannot be fair that at the same time, those able to afford large houses are being subsidised by the taxpayer for their flood insurance.

“We are calling on the Government to think again. A home is a home whatever its tenure.”

The Government’s response of last week is here

The pictures are to remind you of what a flood looks like – taken in Somerset and along the Cornish coast earlier this year.